Jean Eleanor Ashley

Jean Eleanor Ashley (née Birkelo) passed away October 25, 2024, at age 95 years. Jean grew up on the family farm in southwestern Wisconsin, graduating from Seneca High School in 1948. She moved to Milwaukee where she met George Ashley. They were married in 1953.

She is survived by her sons; Steven (Sandra) Ashley, Bruce (Barbara) Ashley, and Charles (Peggy Kruepke) Ashley. She is also survived by grandchildren, Candice Ashley, Brooke Staats, Allen Ashley, Elizabeth Hudgins, Philip Ashley, Samantha Rice, and Charles Ashley. Further survived by great grandchildren, Anna, Clara, Levi, Griffin, Oliver, Henry, Benjamin, Daniel, Kurt and Netti.

She is preceded in death by her parents Nettie and Peter Birkelo, husband George, and brothers Philip, Russell, and Gerhard. She was also preceded in death by her dearest niece Sharon Briggs.

Jean was a long-time employee of the J.C. Penney Catalog Desk on 118th & Burleigh, where she made lasting friendships with many of the young girls with whom she worked.

She had a lifelong passion for playing the piano, something she could do with amazing skill and zeal without ever having taken a lesson or learning to read music.

Funeral services will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, on November 7, 2024. Visitation begins at 1:00 PM, Funeral Service at 2:15 PM. Burial will take place November 8, 2024, at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 West Capitol Drive at 10:00 AM.

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